Ushguli
Ushguli, Georgia
Experience Ushguli, Your Way
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Things to Do in Ushguli
Starting points for your perfect trip
Shkhara Glacier Trek
Hike 14-16 kilometers round-trip from Ushguli to the base of Georgia's largest glacier, beneath the towering 5,201-meter summit of Mount Shkhara. The trail follows the Enguri River valley through pristine alpine wilderness to the glacier tongue.
Medieval Tower Exploration
Journey through Ushguli's four villages—Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murkmeli—discovering defensive towers built between the 9th and 12th centuries. Climb ancient towers, visit the Ethnographic Museum, and explore Queen Tamar's castle ruins.
Mestia to Ushguli Trek
Complete the legendary 4-day, 57-kilometer trek from Mestia to Ushguli, crossing the 2,719-meter Chkhunderi Pass and passing the magnificent Adishi Glacier. Stay in traditional guesthouses in remote mountain villages along the route.
Svan Cultural Immersion
Experience living Svan culture with local families—learn to prepare kubdari (meat-filled bread) and tashmijabi (cheese-potato mash), hear ancient polyphonic songs, and witness traditions blending Orthodox Christianity with pre-Christian practices.
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Stories from Ushguli
Where Time Stands Still
Ushguli feels like stepping through a portal into medieval Europe—a place where defensive stone towers built a millennium ago still shelter families maintaining traditions stretching back to the Bronze Age. This remote community of four villages in Georgia’s Upper Svaneti has been inhabited since antiquity; the Greek geographer Strabo mentioned the Svan people over 2,000 years ago, describing them as fierce mountain dwellers already settled for many generations.
What makes Ushguli truly extraordinary is the remarkable preservation of both architecture and living culture. The community comprises four interconnected villages—Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murkmeli—at elevations between 2,060 and 2,200 meters, making it one of Europe’s highest continuously inhabited settlements. UNESCO inscribed Upper Svaneti as a World Heritage Site in 1996, recognizing Chazhashi village alone for preserving over 200 medieval structures. Approximately 200 permanent residents in 70 families continue to call these ancient stone houses home.
Getting to Ushguli
Choose your route. Every option arrives at the same destination.
Drive via Mestia
Flight + Transfer
Mestia to Ushguli Trek
Drive via Mestia
Drive via Mestia
The standard approach combines a 7-8 hour drive from Tbilisi to Mestia, followed by 60-90 minutes on the newly paved road to Ushguli. The road was fully sealed in autumn 2024, making the journey significantly easier—4x4 is no longer required, though high clearance remains advisable.
Flight + Transfer
Flight + Transfer
Vanilla Sky Airlines operates 30-minute flights from Natakhtari Airport (near Tbilisi) to Mestia's Queen Tamar Airport on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Free shuttles depart Tbilisi 2 hours before flights. From Mestia, hire a vehicle to Ushguli.
Mestia to Ushguli Trek
Mestia to Ushguli Trek
The legendary 57-kilometer trek from Mestia to Ushguli takes 3-4 days through spectacular alpine scenery. Stay in village guesthouses (50-70 GEL including meals) in Zhabeshi, Adishi, and Iprali. The route crosses the 2,719-meter Chkhunderi Pass and passes the magnificent Adishi Glacier.
Travel with EcoVoyager
Getting to Ushguli is easier than it used to be—the road from Mestia was fully paved in 2024. But EcoVoyager offers more than just transport. Our local Svan guides grew up in these valleys, opening doors to family guesthouses, private tower visits, and stories you won't find in any guidebook. Whether you drive in or trek the legendary 4-day route from Mestia, we handle the details.
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